Advance Paris A-i190 Nova silver

Advance Paris A-i190 NOVA: hybrid dual-mono integrated amplifier

A tube input stage, two transistor power blocks, each powered by its own transformer: the A-i190 NOVA houses what looks like two mono amplifiers in a single chassis. Advance Paris positions it at the top of its NOVA range, with 2 x 190 W into 8 Ω, a room-correction DSP and connectivity covering both vinyl and modern television.

A brushed metal front panel and VU meters

The NOVA range breaks with the look of previous Advance Paris series. The brushed metal front panel features two VU meters whose lighting can be set to white or blue depending on the desired atmosphere, along with a central display. Two finishes are available, black and gray. The chassis measures 43 cm wide and weighs 19 kg, a weight reflecting the presence of the two transformers and internal electronics. The ALPS potentiometer, the first control used in every listening session, adjusts volume through linear attenuation, without abrupt changes or channel imbalance.

A tube at the input, transistors at the output

The signal first passes through an ECC81 tube, a double triode also known by the 12AT7 reference. This first stage adds even-order harmonics, subtle in measurements but audible on vocals, strings and brass, a character that transistors alone do not produce. Power is handled by a class AB transistor output stage, renowned for its grip and speaker control. This hybrid combination aims for the character of a tube without giving up the authority of transistors. Only one tube sits in the signal path, limiting maintenance and heat compared with an all-tube model.

Two transformers for two channels

The distinction between the A-i190 and the A-i130 in the range comes down to one specific choice: the power supply. While the A-i130 shares a single power supply between its two channels, the A-i190 includes two independent supplies, each built around a 280 VA toroidal transformer. Each channel has its own energy source, with no interaction with the other. This dual-mono design broadens the soundstage and tightens channel separation. In terms of power, the A-i190 NOVA delivers 2 x 195 W into 8 Ω and 2 x 297 W into 4 Ω at 1 kHz, enough to drive demanding speakers or a large room without weakening during busy passages. Measured across the full frequency range with distortion below 0.07%, power remains at 185 W into 8 Ω and 276 W into 4 Ω per channel.

Correcting your room acoustics

A room always colors the sound: its dimensions, materials and geometry reflect and absorb frequencies in their own way. The four-channel DSP from Analog Devices (an ADAU1452) applies correction to each speaker according to its position, including speakers and subwoofers. Two dedicated outputs allow one or two subwoofers to be added, also adjusted by the processor. The benefit is most noticeable in the bass, which is more controlled and less dependent on room resonances. This adjustment requires a little setup initially, but brings the result closer to calibrated studio listening.

An ESS9017S DAC and HDMI eARC input

The digital-to-analog converter is an ESS9017S used in Quad mode: it groups eight conversion channels into four analog paths, two per channel, to reduce noise and extend dynamics. Optical and coaxial inputs accept PCM files up to 24-bit/192 kHz, while the USB audio input adds DSD playback, in DSD64 and DSD128. The HDMI eARC input connects directly to a television: the audio stream arrives in stereo PCM, passes through the DSP and DAC, and the television remote controls the volume, with automatic amplifier power-on. This connection remains stereo, consistent with a two-channel amplifier: it does not decode multichannel tracks like a home theater amplifier would.

A phono input for all cartridges

Few integrated amplifiers at this level include a phono input compatible with both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges, with a ground terminal: a turntable can be connected here without a separate preamplifier, regardless of its cartridge. Alongside it, five line-level RCA inputs accommodate other analog sources, while a REC-OUT output remains available for recording. To expand the system, the A-i190 NOVA offers a preamplifier output in RCA and balanced XLR, useful for feeding a power amplifier, active speakers or professional equipment. A 6.35 mm jack headphone output and speaker terminals compatible with banana plugs, spades and bare wire complete the connectivity.

Optional streaming and Bluetooth

Network streaming and Bluetooth are not built in as standard, but are planned for. Two internal slots await the A-NTC cartridge, which adds high-resolution network playback, and the A-BTC dongle, bidirectional Bluetooth that allows, for example, listening through wireless headphones. The principle is to add only what is needed, when the need arises, rather than paying upfront for unused features. Two USB-A ports are used to update the amplifier and its DSP, while a 12 V trigger input and output facilitate integration into an automated installation. The supplied REM-21 infrared remote control operates both the A-i190 and the A-i130.

Technical specifications

General

• Type: hybrid Hi-Fi integrated tube amplifier
• Architecture: hybrid with ECC81 tube preamplification

Audio performance

• Output power into 8 Ω
  • 2 × 195 W (1 kHz, THD+N 1%, 2 channels)
  • 2 × 185 W (20 Hz – 20 kHz, THD+N < 0.07%)
• Output power into 4 Ω
  • 2 × 297 W (1 kHz, THD+N 1%, 2 channels)
  • 2 × 276 W (20 Hz – 20 kHz, THD+N < 0.07%)
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 80 kHz
• Harmonic distortion (THD+N): 0.042% (1 kHz, 135 W, 8 Ω)
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 104.5 dB

Signal processing

• Digital-to-analog converter (DAC): ESS Sabre ESS9017S Quad Mode
• DSP processor: Analog Devices ADAU1452 (4 channels)
• Supported audio formats: PCM up to 24-bit / 192 kHz, DSD64, DSD128

Power supply

• Dual independent power supply with 2 280 VA toroidal transformers
• Supply voltage: 115 / 230 V, 50 / 60 Hz (switchable)

Inputs

• Analog inputs: 5 × RCA, 1 × MM / MC phono
• Digital inputs: 3 × optical, 3 × coaxial, 1 × USB Audio, 1 × HDMI eARC

Outputs

• Analog outputs: 1 × RCA pre-out, 1 × balanced XLR pre-out, 1 × REC OUT
• Subwoofer outputs: 2 × Subwoofer Out
• Headphone output: 6.35 mm jack
• Speaker terminals: dual pair compatible with banana plugs, spades and bare wire

Connectivity and automation

• Expandable connectivity: slot for A-BTC Bluetooth module (optional) and A-NTC network module (optional)
• Trigger: 12 V input / output
• Updates: 2 USB-A ports

Included accessories

• REM-21 infrared remote control

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions (W × H × D): 430 × 192 × 454 mm
• Packaging dimensions: 545 × 295 × 535 mm
• Net weight: 19 kg
• Gross weight: 23.1 kg